An account of the grandeur of ancient India as perceived by her foreign visitors from hoary times; and their wonder at her rich philosophical efflorescence and material abundance. The foreigners marvelled at the deep spiritual convictions that allowed yogis and widows to ascend a burning pyre without murmur; the social harmony of myriad tribes and castes; and above all; the common culture and love of justice permeating and binding all in seamless unity. Beginning with the Greeks and especially those who accompanied Alexander; these accounts comprise our first records into the social; moral; legal; and economic life of the Indian people; and the early development of the civilisational paradigm of dharma; artha; kama and moksa. The rise of Christianity pushed Europe into a cocoon. Thereafter; Buddhist pilgrims from China traversed the land between the fourth and the eighth centuries; visiting the major monasteries and sites associated with the Buddha; and left interesting memoirs behind. This uninhibited intellectual and spiritual exploration of India’s Sanskritic or Indic culture ended abruptly with the rise of Islam in Arabia in the seventh century; and its outward thrust into Europe; north Africa; Central Asia and the Indian sub-continent; where it fought to establish political and religious supremacy. Possibly the last Buddhist monk to take the land route to India was the Korean pilgrim Hye Ch’O; who arrived as the armies of Islam began cutting through Central Asia… Selected Stories of Honoré de Balzac by Honoré de Balzac: In this collection, Honoré de Balzac presents a selection of his acclaimed short stories, showcasing his incredible talent for vivid storytelling and character development. With its rich language and engaging narratives, this book is a must-read for fans of classical literature. Key Aspects of the Book "Selected Stories of Honoré de Balzac": Collection of Short Stories: The book features a collection of acclaimed short stories by Honoré de Balzac. Vivid Storytelling and Character Development: The stories showcase Balzac's incredible talent for vivid storytelling and character development. Useful for Literature Enthusiasts: The book is useful for fans of classical literature and those interested in the works of Balzac. Honoré de Balzac was a French novelist and playwright who is regarded as one of the greatest writers of Western literature. His book, Selected Stories of Honoré de Balzac, is highly regarded for its captivating storytelling and rich language.

The India They Saw Complete Collection (Vol-1 to Vol-4) (Set of 4 Books) by JAIN, SANDHYA: Immerse yourself in the rich tapestry of India's history, culture, and heritage with The India They Saw Complete Collection. Spanning four volumes, this comprehensive collection brings together accounts from various travelers, explorers, and scholars who witnessed the wonders of India across different time periods. Delve into their vivid descriptions, personal narratives, and insightful observations, offering a captivating journey through India's past. Key Aspects of the Book The India They Saw Complete Collection: Multifaceted Perspectives: The collection presents a diverse range of perspectives from travelers and explorers who visited India throughout history. Each volume showcases different accounts, offering a mosaic of narratives that capture India's cultural, geographical, and social complexities from multiple angles. Historical and Cultural Insights: Through the accounts of these travelers, readers gain valuable insights into India's rich history, cultural traditions, and the way of life during various periods. The collection provides a unique window into the past, shedding light on significant events, landmarks, and societal norms that shaped the country. Personal Narratives: The India They Saw brings history to life through the personal narratives of the individuals who experienced the wonders of India firsthand. Their stories, impressions, and encounters offer an intimate glimpse into their journeys, fostering a connection between the reader and the travelers who were captivated by India's allure. Sandhya Jain is the editor and compiler of The India They Saw Complete Collection. As a historian and scholar, Jain has curated a comprehensive collection of travel accounts and narratives, bringing together diverse perspectives on India's rich cultural heritage. Through this collection, Jain provides readers with a unique opportunity to explore India's past through the eyes of those who have traversed its lands throughout history.

The first volume of the expansive Pulitzer Prize-winning series The Story of Civilization. Discover a history of civilization in Egypt and the Near East to the Death of Alexander, and in India, China, and Japan from the beginning; with an introduction on the nature and foundations of civilization.

The people of India have long known that their ancestors once sailed to and settled in the Americas. They called America Patala, “The Under World,” not because they believed it to be underground, but because the other side of the globe appeared to be straight down. Now, at last, many mysteries about Ancient America, such as the identity of the Mexican Quetzalcoatl, the true origins of our Native-American, etc., will be cleared up, once and for all.

Between 1939 and 1945 India underwent extraordinary and irreversible change. Hundreds of thousands of Indians suddenly found themselves in uniform, fighting in the Middle East, North and East Africa, Europe and-something simply never imagined-against a Japanese army poised to invade eastern India. With the threat of the Axis powers looming, the entire country was pulled into the vortex of wartime mobilization. By the war's end, the Indian Army had become the largest volunteer force in the conflict, consisting of 2.5 million men, while many millions more had offered their industrial, agricultural, and military labor. It was clear that India would never be same-the only question was: would the war effort push the country toward or away from independence? In India's War, historian Srinath Raghavan paints a compelling picture of battles abroad and of life on the home front, arguing that the war is crucial to explaining how and why colonial rule ended in South Asia. World War II forever altered the country's social landscape, overturning many Indians' settled assumptions and opening up new opportunities for the nation's most disadvantaged people. When the dust of war settled, India had emerged as a major Asian power with her feet set firmly on the path toward Independence. From Gandhi's early urging in support of Britain's war efforts, to the crucial Burma Campaign, where Indian forces broke the siege of Imphal and stemmed the western advance of Imperial Japan, Raghavan brings this underexplored theater of WWII to vivid life. The first major account of India during World War II, India's War chronicles how the war forever transformed India, its economy, its politics, and its people, laying the groundwork for the emergence of modern South Asia and the rise of India as a major power.

An extraordinary epic, set a million years in the future, in the time of a dying sun, when our present culture is no longer even a memory. Severian, a torturer's apprentice, is exiled from his guild after falling in love with one of his prisoners. Ordered to the distant city of Thrax, armed with his ancient executioner's sword, Terminus Est, Severian must make his way across the perilous, ruined landscape of this far-future Urth. But is his finding of the mystical gem, the Claw of the Conciliator, merely an accident, or does Fate have a grander plans for Severian the torturer . . . ? This edition contains the first two volumes of this four volume novel, The Shadow of the Torturer and The Claw of the Conciliator.

A dorktastic new DORK DIARIES book for World Book Day 2015! Nikki Maxwell is the Queen of the Dorks and in this adorkable book she's ready to spill all her top tips to living life the dorky way! Coping with crushes, avoiding BFF dramas, planning pop-star sleepovers, surviving embarrassing families, how to start your very own dork diary, Nikki's here with advice on EVERYTHING you need to know. So whether you're already dorkalicious or a dorky-diva in training, HOW TO BE A DORK is the ultimate guide to being a true dork!